Coby warns that the rechargeable batteries can overheat and catch fire. There have been four reports of fires from the batteries overheating, resulting in what the company called “minor property damage.” No one has been hurt yet.

The batteries were sold with Coby’s TF-DVD 1020 portable swivel-style music and video player. Last year, it was the TF-DVD170 and TF-DVD176 players that were recalled entirely — 12,000 units — because of fire worries.

The fire hazzard issue goes way beyond the “batteries”. The TF-DVD1020 swivel screen will “swivel” (without over-travel) in either direction “until its wires” become tangled, stretched, frayed and then break — with potential “shorting” taking place. This is a gross design flaw on EVERY unit, and not just limited by specific batteries!